Pedro de Valdivia


Born in 1500, Pedro de Valdivia is one of Spains most influencial conquistadors. Before conques
pedroo.jpg
A royal painting of Pedro de Valdivia
ting Chile, Valdivia traveled with the Spanish army to Italy and Flanders. In 1534 he was sent on a voyage under Francisco Pizarro to Peru. In 1540 he led his own voyage to Chile. with 150 soldiers Upon arrival he made Santiago the official capital, and himself the first royal governor. Valdivia was not a good governer, and was very power hungy. He made decisions based off his own personal wants. Due to his unfair rulings, the natives planned a rebelion, killing hundreds of Spanish soldiers. On December 25, 1553, Valdivia was brutally murdered by the Araucanian indians. Although Valdivia was killed, his empire lived on for another 300 years.